Goats kidding...kids dying ??

Helena · #1 12/10/06, 03:53 AM

We have had our goats for over 25 years now and we realize that some years there are no real answers to why things happen in the animal world. This year "Bucky" had gotten into the does pen earlier than we would have liked while we were away from home and neighbors were taking care of them.. Well..within the last week we have had 2 ..2 year old does..kid and all 3 kids were dead when we got to the barn. One was a first time mother. Even with our "barn watch"..and being away for just 3 hours each time. All the kids were cleaned and Momma goat was standing over them. I must admit that the 2 born yesterday..especially the doe..were small..she very small..little pencil thin legs...but have had them this small and with some help have survived just fine. Perhaps it is a virus within them..kidding early..The weather has been cold even for northern PA the last week..but heat lamps are on them during the night and they have had shelter and used it to kid these times.. Any ideas..hate to lose anymore and since 2 out of 3 of these kids were does..

Have 3 more experienced does to kid yet..boy hate having babies this early..usually wait until April. Guess my lesson learned here at my goats expense sad to say is..Get Bucky a stronger pen..away from the does.

HappyFarmer · #2 12/10/06, 07:30 AM

At first I was thinking the sacks were too thick for the kids and the does cleaned them off after the fact, but with 25 years experience I would think you have the proper minerals/nutrition available so I doubt that is the problem. 2 kiddings in row practically identicle I would have a necropsy performed. You may have some type of abortion storm going on here, hence your other does may be at risk. I would seek advise from your vet & have some tests run, and also make sure I was available at the next kidding.
Good luck.
HF

Added: http://www.goatwisdom.com/ch8diseases/abortion.html
This link may help in narrowing down the cause.

chamoisee · #3 12/10/06, 05:34 PM

What are the dams eating?

neehifarm · #4 12/10/06, 05:45 PM

Ya know. I thought the same as posted above. It can't be something they ate, as you have 25 years in......there's a LOT of life experience there.
My guess too, is that their must have been a sac issue. If the one doe is a first time mom, as you stated, maybe she couldn't get the sac off the first ones, and the next two came to quick for her.

trnubian · #5 12/10/06, 07:07 PM

I would have the kids tested. It sounds like it could be a virus/bacterial infection in your herd. (This happened in a neighboring sheep herd a few years ago and he lost half his lamb crop.)

I would definately get them tested just to rule that out. I would hate for you to lose any more.